Skip to main content

Celebrating Honorary Awards in Education

Brunel University London is delighted to offer Honorary Bachelor of Education awards to alumni who were previously awarded a Certificate in Education from one of our predecessor colleges; Shoreditch College of Education, Maria Grey College and Borough Road College.

These Certificates in Education were originally awarded by the University of London, Institute of Education. To celebrate the conferral of awards and the contribution of the University’s alumni, our special ceremonies will be held at our Uxbridge campus (Kingston Lane, UB8 3PH) on Friday 19 July, 2024.

This webpage will be updated when new information becomes available, so please keep checking back regularly. Last updated: 31 October 2023

Follow these steps to receive your Honorary Bachelor of Education award:

Step 1: Register and verify your award (October 2023 - March 2024)

Please be ready to complete our online form and provide the documents requested:

  • Current valid form of photographic ID (eg: passport/driving licence)
  • Documents to prove name change since award (marriage certificate, deed of change of name)
  • If available, a copy of your original Certificate in Education issued by the University of London
Click here to register and verify for your Honorary Bachelor of Education award

Please note you will need verification from our team before we can confirm your place at next year’s Awards Event. If you cannot attend the event, please use the same form to apply to receive the Honorary Award in absentia.

You’ll be contacted by the University team to confirm if your award has been verified or not. Please allow time for us to receive your information and verify your eligibility.

Step 2: Once verified, we will be in touch with next step (March 2024 to May 2024)

Once all applicants have been verified for their eligibility, dependent on whether you can attend the event on Friday, 19 July 2024, we will make arrangements to post your certificate or share more information about the event.

Information about the awards event will include options about what to do if you'd like to book your gown, photography and order guest tickets. Please note all tickets will be charged at £15 each.

Step 3: Get ready for your Awards Event (May 2024 - July 2024)

Closer to the event we’ll share more information via email about what to do on the day such as where to register, where to collect your gown and, obtain official photography etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible for an Honorary Bachelor of Education award?

Former students oShoreditch College of Education, Shoreditch Training College, Maria Grey College or Borough Road College who were awarded a Certificate in Education up until the early 1980s by the University London, Institute of Education.

Why are these Awarding Events happening now?

Until the 1980s, teachers were typically trained on two-year or three-year certificate course at teacher training colleges, which were nationally organised into area training groups under the administrative control of the Area Training Centres. 

There has been a movement across the higher education sector for the thousands of individuals who received teaching certificates between the 1930s and the 1980s to be awarded an Honorary Bachelor of Education award at special ceremonies.

Will I need to attend my ceremony in person?

We understand that not everybody will be able to attend the ceremony in person. Therefore, we ask any alumni who meet the eligibility criteria above to complete this form as we are offering the chance to be awarded in absentia.

Can I tell my classmates and friends about this?

Yes! We encourage you to share this information and website with as many classmates as you can.

Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. Our privacy policy includes details of how we hold and process your data as alumni. Read our privacy policy. 

If you have any questions or wish to update your preferences at any time, please contact the Brunel Development and Alumni Relations Office at honoraryteachingdegrees@brunel.ac.uk.  
In addition, the information supplied will be used to administer your awards event. This includes: 

  • Allocation and ability for you to purchase event tickets
  • Enable seating and award presentation
  • Enable provision as appropriate and reasonable, for awarding honoraries and their guests with additional needs
  • As a guide for catering requirements 
  • All copies of ID presented as part of the verification process and event planning will be confidentially destroyed/deleted once all processes are completed.

Cancellation Policy for events beyond our control

Although we are planning to hold this event in person, Government guidelines and social restrictions at the time may force us to cancel or change the planned event – please take this into account if you or your guests are planning to travel to the event as the University cannot be held liable for any cancellations and expenses you may incur. 

While every effort will be made to host awarding events as planned, the University will not be liable to you in any manner whatsoever for any failure or delay, or for the consequences of any failure or delay, in performance of any contract with you if it is due to any event or circumstance beyond our reasonable control including, but not limited to: 

  • Strikes
  • lockouts or other industrial action or disputes (whether involving our workforce or any other party)
  • acts of God
  • epidemic, pandemic, quarantine or widespread illness (whether affecting our staff and/or student body or otherwise)
  • any law or any action taken by government or public authority
  • governmental requisitioning, emergency planning or provision
  • war, protests, fire, flood, storm, tempest, explosion, collapse of buildings
  • interruption or failure of utility service
  • an actual, suspected or threatened act of terrorism
  • riot
  • civil commotion
  • national emergencies
  • breakdown of plant or machinery
  • actions or defaults of placement providers
  • default of suppliers or sub-contractors 

 The University, therefore, strongly advises you and your guests to ensure you have sufficient insurance protection to cover any losses you may incur as a result of postponement, change or cancellation of ceremonies and book flexible rates for travel and accommodation wherever possible. 

The contract between you and Brunel is governed by English Law. You and Brunel both agree that the English and Welsh courts have jurisdiction over any disputes that may arise under this contract. However, if you are a resident of Northern Ireland you may also bring proceedings in Northern Ireland, and if you are a resident of Scotland, you may also bring proceedings in Scotland. 

This contract is between you and Brunel, and no other third party shall be entitled to make any claim in connection with it by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. 

Each of the provisions above is separate and severable. Accordingly, if any court or body or authority of competent jurisdiction finds any such provision to be illegal, unlawful, void or unenforceable this will not affect the remainder of those provisions which will continue in full force and effect. 

Please note that the ability to participate and view the celebration live stream on the day will depend upon a number of factors beyond the University’s control, such as the user’s browser, system and bandwidth. It is therefore impossible to guarantee that the streaming will be viewable to all. 

Brunel may update these terms and conditions and any guidance on graduation ceremonies at any time. 

We will update the page when further information becomes available, so be sure to check back here regularly. In the event of any postponement, change or cancellation, the University will contact each attending student directly with as much notice as is reasonably practical.